As most are now aware, whether they follow international politics as a hobby or not, current Pakistani opposition leader and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated on Thursday. As perhaps the most prominent member of the Bhutto political dynasty, many in Pakistan welcomed her return from exile in October with open arms and in defiance of the political and military rule imposed by President Pervez Musharraf. In turn, Musharraf quickly instituted martial law, only to lift it two weeks ago at the insistence of the United States and the global democratic community.

With parliamentary elections in Pakistan scheduled for January 8, it is unclear at the timewho her Pakistan People's Party successor will be, or if the elections will be postponed.Bhutto campaigned on a platform centered on the eradication of Islamic extremists inPakistan, the very country which Osama bin Laden is purported to be in hiding. Viewing this as an affront to their regional interests, representatives from both the Taliban and al-Qaeda had decried her return and insisted that she would be met with violent resistance. They unfortunately followed through with the threat, as the suicide bomber has now in fact been identified and linked to both organizations.

On a lighter note, as Bhutto was a Wild Card pick, 20 points are awarded to the Governor.